Dear Hornet Family,
As we embrace the vibrant and celebratory month of June, we take this opportunity to honor and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community at Sacramento State. Pride Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the diversity, resilience, and contributions of our LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Pride Month commemorates the ongoing fight for equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ individuals. It serves as a reminder of the progress made and the work still needed to create a world where everyone can live authentically and without fear. At Sacramento State, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every member of our community feels valued, respected, and empowered.
Despite June nearing its end, our commitment to celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community continues year-round. Here are resources and recommended readings and media to help you engage with and support our LGBTQIA+ community:
Our Hive, Our Home: Celebrating Pride Together
Just as every Hornet plays a vital role in our hive, each member of our LGBTQIA+ community enriches our home here at Sacramento State. This Pride Month, we celebrate the unity and strength that diversity brings to our Hive. Let’s continue to build a community where everyone can thrive authentically and proudly.
Online Exhibits and Resources:
- The Legacy of Harvey Milk – Celebrating the life and impact of one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States
- Stonewall Uprising – Understanding the pivotal moment in LGBTQIA+ history that ignited the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement
- LGBTQ+ History – A comprehensive collection from the Library of Congress highlighting significant events and figures in LGBTQIA+ history
Key Readings and Media
Books:
- "The Stonewall Reader" edited by The New York Public Library – A compilation of first-hand accounts, diaries, periodic literature, and articles from LGBTQIA+ activists from the Stonewall Uprising
- "The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle" by Lillian Faderman – A comprehensive history of the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in the United States
Documentaries:
- "The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson" (Netflix) – Investigating the mysterious death of Marsha P. Johnson, a key figure in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement
- "Disclosure" (Netflix) – A look at transgender representation in film and television
Podcasts:
- "Making Gay History" – Bringing the largely hidden history of the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement to life through the voices of the people who lived it
- "Queer as Fact" – Covering the stories and histories of a variety of queer people from around the world
In addition to these resources, we encourage everyone to utilize the support and advocacy offered by our Pride Center. For more information, visit Sacramento State’s PRIDE Center.
We also proudly partner with local organizations such as the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce to foster a supportive network for our LGBTQIA+ community on and off campus. Their work in promoting diversity and inclusion in the business community is invaluable. Additionally, the Rainbow Chamber Foundation Scholarship offers financial support to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education. We strongly encourage eligible students to apply and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.
Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends beyond this month. We continue to work toward creating a campus culture that embraces all identities and experiences. Your voice and involvement are crucial in this journey.
To our LGBTQIA+ community, we recognize you, we celebrate you, and we support you. Thank you for your courage, strength, and contributions to our University. Together, let's continue to build a more inclusive and loving world.
In solidarity,
Dr. Michael V. Nguyen
Chief Diversity Officer (interim)
Dr. Luke Wood
President